Health Plans Are Ill-Prepared for Looming Diabetes Epidemic

The problem is outpacing insurers' resources and perhaps even their commitment. Can the chronic care model help?

Diabetes is creating an escalating economic crisis for our health care system. Health plans use a handful of approaches, but "many insurers remain unaware of the scale of the problem," says Thomas Bodenheimer, MD, MPH, an adjunct professor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and a leading authority on the management of chronic disease. "Health plans need to step up to the plate. Their active involvement is absolutely critical."

While we work with various health plans to step up their preparedness in this critical area, this is what we can do for ourselves: it is never too late to call your members of congress: American Diabetes Association